Tory leader David Cameron dines with Simon Cowell for tips on how to 'crack America'

Tuesday 17 June 2008 14:01 BST

It is certainly not the first old idea David Cameron had dusted off, repackaged and claimed as his own.

But with the help of Simon Cowell, the opposition leader clearly feels Cool Britannia deserves another outing.

The pair are enjoying an intriguing new friendship after dining together at celebrity restaurant Cipriani to discuss Cameron's plan to ingratiate himself with Britain's youth through the magic of showbusiness.

Dinner dates: David Cameron seen leaving Cipriani after dining with Simon Cowell

Dinner dates: David Cameron seen leaving Cipriani after dining with Simon Cowell

Pow-wow: Music and television mogul Simon Cowell leaves the politics meets showbiz summit after dining with the Tory leader

Pow-wow: Music and television mogul Simon Cowell leaves the politics meets showbiz summit after dining with the Tory leader

The meeting suggests Cameron is keen to resurrect Tony Blair's celebration of the contemporary cultural revolution of the New Labour era at the start of his first term as Prime Minister.

In 1997, Blair invited an eclectic mix of pop stars, actors, fashion designers and millionaire businessmen, most of whom supported him, for a drinks reception in Downing Street.

However it seems Cameron's idea to re-visit that decade-old concept is not even an original one.

Cameron has apparently been extremely keen to forge links with X Factor judge and record label boss Cowell ever since Gordon Brown had a similar meeting with him at No10 last December.

Celebrities in the house: Cameron chose a celebrity haunt for his pow-wow with Cowell, and Naomi Campbell and Elizabeth Hurley were also at the restaurant

Cameron and Cowell's meeting on Monday night was arranged on one side by Cameron's spin-doctor and former News of The World editor Andy Coulson who resigned in the wake of the royal phone-tapping scandal.

On the other, Cowell's notorious publicist Max Clifford was only too happy to oblige.

Cowell, Coulson and Cameron rubbed shoulders with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Liz Hurley and her husband Arun Nayar at the Mayfair Italian.

Cameron's spokesman was adamant that the dinner had just been a private one with no particular motive.

She said the idea he had sought advice from Mr Cowell on raising his profile in America or how to get celebrities to support the Tory party was 'laughable and completely and utterly untrue'.

'This was a private dinner - David has lots of private dinners with lots of different people,' she added.

But Cowell's spokesman suggested there was more to it.

Mr Clifford said added: 'I am sure that someone like Simon's opinions he would value because of his success over the last six or seven years. In his position it's extremely helpful to get to know someone like Simon. He is one of the most powerful men in television and music and he understands what appeals to young people - and people in general. He definitely has his finger on the pulse. People like that are extremely valuable.'

Clifford added: 'Maybe David wanted to ask Simon how to crack America. Simon is the only Briton who has done so. I spoke to Simon and he said the dinner went well and that Cameron was a bright man. He said that about Gordon Brown too.'

Clifford had been referring to a recent meeting Cowell had with the Prime Minister in Downing Street when he introduced him to former X Factor winner Paul Potts and where they are understood to have discussed similar areas.

Speaking of Mr Brown and Mr Cameron, Clifford added: 'They both probably do (want to crack America) but they need to do it in their own way.'

Cool Britannia was a term used for Tony Blair's plan to celebrate the contemporary cultural revolution going in the New Labour era at the start of his first term as Prime Minister.

Such 90s Britpop grandees as Noel Gallagher from Oasis ... famously chatted to Blair at No10 in 1997.Tory leader David Cameron is obviously going to for the 'yoof vote' - as he schmoozed with the A-listers, and dined with X Factor mogul Simon Cowell last night.

Clearly not going for the discreet option, Cameron chose to rub shoulders with the showbiz hoi-polloi, which included Naomi Campbell, Liz Hurley, and husband Arun Nayar, as he dined at celebrity haunt Cipriani.

In what has become the norm for modern day politicians, the Tory leader spent the evening trying to win the hearts and minds of one of the showbiz world's most successful moguls, as he enjoyed dinner with Cowell.